BILL NUMBER: AB 1095	CHAPTERED  09/17/03

	CHAPTER  394
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 17, 2003
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 16, 2003
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 2, 2003
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 27, 2003
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 8, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 2, 2003
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 24, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Corbett

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2003

   An act to add Section 70394 to the Government Code, relating to
libraries.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1095, Corbett.  County law libraries.
   Existing law specifies the various duties of the Judicial Council
and the Administrative Office of the Courts, and provides for the
establishment of county law libraries.
   This bill would require the Judicial Council to establish a task
force on county law libraries, consisting of 3 representatives from
the judicial branch of government selected by the Administrative
Director of the Courts, 3 representatives of the counties selected by
the California State Association of Counties, and 3 county law
library administrators selected by the Council of California County
Law Librarians.  The bill would require the task force to identify
the needs related to county law library operations and facilities,
make recommendations for funding county law library operations,
facility improvements, and expansion, and submit its report and
recommendations to the Judicial Council and the Legislature on or
before January 1, 2005.  The bill would also provide that the costs
of the task force be at Judicial Council, county, and county law
librarians' expense, as specified.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
   (a) County law libraries are a vital adjunct to the state judicial
system, providing many individuals with an opportunity to readily
access essential legal documents and publications.
   (b) The fiscal health of county law libraries, and the ability of
county law libraries to provide adequate, up-to-date publications and
services, have a considerable impact on the quality of justice
dispensed to citizens of California.
   (c) For many individuals, the county law libraries represent the
most accessible and affordable option for access to legal documents
and publications.
   (d) Many county law libraries are not able to acquire and maintain
current publications and electronic access to pertinent materials,
nor are they able to hire necessary staff.  The current funding
structure does not allow for adequate financial planning and falls
substantially short of meeting necessary expenditures.
   (e) Current revenues appear to be insufficient to provide the
funding necessary to adequately finance the acquisition of equipment,
publications, and staff for county law libraries.
   (f) The counties of California are neither required nor able to
provide county law libraries with additional support to offset or
moderate the financial difficulties encountered by county law
libraries throughout the state.
  SEC. 2.  Section 70394 is added to the Government Code, to read:
   70394.  (a) The Judicial Council shall establish a task force on
county law libraries.  The task force is charged with identifying the
needs related to county law library operations and facilities, and
identifying and making recommendations for funding county law library
operations, facility improvements, and expansion.
   (b) The task force shall consist of three representatives from the
judicial branch of government, as selected by the Administrative
Director of the Courts, three representatives of the counties, as
selected by the California State Association of Counties, and three
county law library administrators, as selected by the Council of
California County Law Librarians.  The Administrative Director of the
Courts shall designate one of these representatives as chairperson
of the task force.
   (c) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall provide staff
support for the task force and shall develop guidelines for
procedures and practices for the task force.
   (d) The duties of the task force shall include all of the
following:
   (1) Review the state of existing county law libraries.
   (2) Examine existing standards for county law library operations.

   (3) Document the funding mechanisms currently available for the
maintenance and operation of county law library facilities.
   (4) Recommend funding sources and financing mechanisms for support
of county law library operations and facility maintenance.
   (e) The task force shall be appointed on or before March 1, 2004.
The task force shall submit its report and recommendations to the
Judicial Council and the Legislature on or before January 1, 2005.
   (f) The Judicial Council shall implement this section using
existing resources.  Any costs for counties and county law librarians
to assist in the implementation of this section shall be  at county
or county law librarians' expense, respectively.